Two men deny murdering three ‘beautiful’ children and ‘loving’ mother in Bradford house fire

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Two men have denied murdering a “loving” mother and her three “beautiful” young children killed in a Bradford house fire last month.

Bryonie Gawith, 29 and her children Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle, died in a “blazing” fire at their Westbury Road home in the early hours of 21 August.

Mohammed Shabir, 44, of Keighley and Calum Sunderland, 25, also of Keighly, both pleaded not guilty to murdering the family on Wednesday.

They also denied attempting to murder Ms Gawith’s sister, Antonia Gawith.

Jonathan, the children’s father and Byronie’s fiancee, said his family’s deaths had caused “unimaginable sadness and grief”.

In a statement issued after their deaths, he said: “I am absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancee, Bryonie, and our three beautiful children. Bryonie and I were together for a long time, and we had a good life together.

“She was a beautiful woman and a loving mother to Oscar, Aubree and Denisty.

“I loved them with all my heart and if I had the chance, I would take their place in a heartbeat. I cannot imagine life without them.”

A witness to the fire, who lives on the road, said she could hear “screaming” while “really thick smoke” came up the street.

“It filled the whole area. It looked foggy. It was overwhelming. You could hear screaming.” the witness told the Telegraph and Argus.

Ms Gawith died at the scene and the three children – who are known as Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry – died from their injuries in hospital.

The defendants appeared on a video link from prison at Bradford Crown Court and entered not guilty pleas to each of the five charges. The trial will begin in March.

A man who was arrested at the scene of the fire was “still unconscious” in hospital and will not be ready for trial in March even if he wakes up.

The man is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family, West Yorkshire Police said.

PA